COVID‐19 and Indigenous Peoples: An imperative for action

Abstract

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of Country across theworld, and their continuing relationship to culture, community, land,waters and sky. We honour children born and yet to be, and pay ourrespects to Elders, past, present and future.

COVID-19—Lessons Learned and Questions Remaining

“…In this context, nursing homes have faced a high burden of cross-transmission and high mortality [ 47 ]. First Nations people in developed countries have also represented a vulnerable group [ 48 ]. Future rollout of vaccination will need to be global and targeted to the highest risk populations in each individual country.…”

Integrated social protection and COVID-19: rethinking Pacific community responses in Aotearoa

“…An important aspect of community capital is cultural intelligence, which enables communities to understand their own vulnerabilities, limitations and strengths. The knowledge that they carry a higher risk in relation to COVID-19 because of the social and cultural determinants of health (as evidenced by their high rate of infection of H1N1) (Power et al 2020) has provided Pacific communities with a sense of awareness and determination to develop resilience. For example, Pacific organisations collaborated with District Health Boards to provide COVID-19 information to Pacific communities to help fight against coronavirus via social media, discussion panels, and video's from Pacific doctors (Prepare Pacific 2020).…”

Bearing Witness to Indigenous Health Nursing

“…The collective response is unprecedented, showing the resolve and resilience of humanity, with prosocial collaboration through shutdowns, physical distancing, and self-isolation. First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities are returning to their original knowledge systems in food sovereignty, family and child rearing supports, integration of ceremonies and the gathering of traditional medicines (Power, et al, 2020). Kétéskwēw and gilgaletl'lak remind us of the need for constant action in collective conscientization through changing and challenging circumstances such as this current context; subsequently, Nursing requires a subsequent shift in consciousness from the individual to the collective.…”